The Carolina Panthers placed wide receiver Xavier Legette on injured reserve Saturday, October 3, extending his absence as the team prepared for its Sunday night home game against the Detroit Lions.
Legette had already been ruled out of the Week 4 matchup with a knee injury. The third-year receiver was hurt against Atlanta after making a 55-yard catch and did not play in the following game at Cleveland. He also missed Friday’s practice before receiving an out designation.
An injured-reserve stint requires at least four missed games. Carolina has its bye after the Detroit matchup, so the move leaves the offense planning around Legette’s absence beyond that break. No specific return date was announced.
The Panthers elevated Ja’seem Reed from the practice squad Saturday to give the receiving group another option. Tetairoa McMillan, John Metchie III, David Moore and Brycen Tremayne were the other available receivers on the active roster, while Jalen Coker remained questionable with a quadriceps injury.
Coker led Carolina in catches and receiving yards entering the weekend but could not finish the Cleveland game. He completed an individual period and a small number of team snaps Friday as coaches assessed how his leg responded. Dave Canales planned to continue evaluating him through the weekend.
Metchie took some of Coker’s practice repetitions during the week, and Tremayne had already handled a larger offensive role against Cleveland. Those preparations give Bryce Young alternatives as Carolina works through the uncertainty around two of its receivers.
Young entered Week 4 averaging 313 passing yards per game, with seven touchdown passes through three outings. His deep passing had been particularly productive: nine completions on throws traveling at least 20 yards downfield had generated 289 yards.
Carolina also elevated cornerback Robert Rochell on Saturday after losing starters Jaycee Horn and Mike Jackson to injured reserve earlier in the week. There was better news at right tackle, where rookie Monroe Freeling cleared concussion protocol and was cleared to play against Detroit.
No published comments yet. Start the conversation.